"Ag-Gag" Bill Stopped in Indiana

In Indiana the "ag-gag" bill was withdrawn without a vote!  Hopefully other states will follow Indiana's example.  ~Declan

'Ag gag' bill stopped

Updated: Friday, 26 Apr 2013, 6:04 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 26 Apr 2013, 6:03 PM EDT   As posted on WISHTV.com

• Jim Shella

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - State lawmakers will work into the evening as they wrap up the 2013 General Assembly. They still must pass a new 2-year state budget and the tax cut it contains.

In the meantime, a controversial bill was withdrawn without a vote. The bill that opponents call the "ag gag" was the source of a spirited debate in the Indiana House when House Speaker Brian Bosma stepped in and took the bill off the table.

It's procedural move that could mean the bill is dead. The so-called "ag gag" would make it a crime to photograph agricultural operations without permission but opponents see it as an attempt to thwart the first amendment.  

"To gag whistle blowers. Why do we always want to do something that is outrageous?" asked Rep. Pat Bauer (D-South Bend.)  "This is something that is outrageous for this time."

"This bill's got the same problem as my golf game," said Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis.) "It's not capable of being made good. The core idea is bad."

A milder version of the "ag gag" bill could still pass if Senate author Travis Holdman agrees to it. 

He hasn't made that decision yet.